Photograph by George Sakkestad
Jonah Termeer turned The Vitamin Center into Lifestream Natural Foods.
Like a cornucopia filled with fruits of the harvest, the shelves at Lifestream Natural Foods are stocked with a bounty of health products.
Lifestream carries many vitamin and mineral supplements, individually and in multi-nutrient formulas, as well as organically grown herbal remedies whose labels indicate usage for everything from colds to PMS.
"Anybody who walks in the door gets personal care," says Jonah Termeer, who bought and expanded the business from its previous existence as The Vitamin Center.
"My whole life, I've been a major vitamin taker and health food eater," adds Termeer, a licensed nutritional counselor from the American Association of Nutritional Consultants.
Joining the nutrients and herbs are more specialized preparations such as enzymes, melatonin, flower essences, bluegreen algae, protein powder and amino acid drink additives. A line of groceries is growing and includes cereals, artichoke flour, vegetarian beans and soup mixes, unsweetened ketchup, natural honey and salt-free seasonings.
A refrigerator stocks bee pollen, fruit smoothies, tofu and yogurt, as well as separate containers of lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus--"friendly bacteria" found in yogurt and in the intestinal tract.
Among Lifestream's non-edibles are aromatherapy supplies, natural makeup, acne-care products and books on topics such as herbalism, cooking, allergy relief and self healing.
Lifestream Natural Foods, 427 N. Santa Cruz Ave. Hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 395-2620.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, September 18, 1996.
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